How to engage City in code compliance

Readers often ask The Nugget either how to get something done at City Hall or simply register a thought about various and sundry things. We usually suggest taking issues directly to City of Sisters staff.

Sisters is still a town where school, fire, police, and city officials are very accessible. There are no gatekeepers and no special code or status is needed to make contact. In our experience you will most likely be met with accessibility and transparency.

Recently, for example, a reader wanted to know if the lights at The Lodge in Sisters were code compliant. The Nugget asked on their behalf in an effort to learn more about the City’s plan to enforce the recent modification to the code surrounding the dark skies initiative.

Nobody has ever brought a concern over The Lodge’s lighting to the attention of the City, according to Jacob Smith, code compliance officer. Smith laid out the procedure for bringing possible code infractions to the city.

“Code compliance complaints can be submitted to the City of Sisters by phone call, email, in person contact at City Hall, and mail. The City of Sisters code compliance webpage has all of my contact information (phone number, email, and complaint form that can be dropped off at City hall, mailed in, or scanned/emailed).” https://www.ci.sisters.or.us/community-development/webform/code-compliance-complaint-form

In earlier conversations with City Manager, Jordan Wheeler, and Development Director, Scott Woodford, ideas were explored with regards to making code compliance a more satisfying experience for citizens.

Wheeler pondered whether a map locating pending violations on the City’s website might be useful. Woodford qualified that not all violations are equal in priority, with infractions that have the potential for fire going to the top of the list.

Both concluded that more education would be necessary to match the competing demands of a growing city with a good neighbor approach in obtaining compliance. The City has emphasized education before enforcement — but it helps if citizens make them aware of possible violations.